DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 41
February 22, 2008
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Application
for Response to Intervention (RtI) Pilot Sites |
The Virginia
Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce an invitation for school divisions
to participate as 2008-2009 Response to Intervention (RtI) pilot sites. The department is seeking school divisions who
are willing to pilot up to two elementary schools focusing on reading and mathematics
interventions beginning in the 2008-2009 school year. Up to sixteen schools
statewide will be selected. The purpose
of the pilot program is to help school divisions implement the RtI process and
to glean best practices to share with school divisions statewide. The department will provide federal funding
for the technology and software needed for RtI data collection, training, and
ongoing technical assistance in each pilot division.
An application is attached and contains a list of
criteria that a school division must meet. It also includes questions related
to school division plans for RtI implementation and how the essential
components of RtI will be integrated.
Each potential pilot school within the school division must provide
information that includes 2008-2009 enrollment data, adequate yearly progress
(AYP) status, demographic diversity, make-up of teaching staff, and instructional/intervention
services already provided to struggling students. The attached application
includes information on pilot
participant expectations, requirements, and criteria for selection.
By definition,
RtI is essentially the practice of offering interventions provided by
the general education teacher and then evaluating the child's response. Interventions
can also be delivered as supplemental instruction provided by other trained
interventionists in the school. At the
earliest signs of a child's failure to show adequate progress with
peer-appropriate instruction, educators within the school can collaborate to
make adjustments to instruction to fit the child's needs. RtI is grounded in research conducted by some
of our country's leading educators. The
model is a valid process for identifying and serving struggling students through
collaborative efforts. As such, the department has developed a RtI guidance
document entitled, Responsive Instruction:
Refining Our Work of Teaching All Children
The Office of Student Services will host two informational
meetings for all interested division superintendents, central office curriculum
leaders, and principals who are considering submitting an application to serve
as a pilot site. During these sessions, an overview of RtI will be discussed,
as well as the criteria and expectations for being considered a pilot school
division. There will be an informational meeting held at the
Completed applications must be received by the
Department of Education by 5 pm on April 4, 2008.
Please submit applications to:
Susan
M. Trulove
RtI
Pilot Site Application
Faxed copies will not be accepted. Pilot sites will be selected by April 28,
2008. Technical assistance training for
selected pilot sites is mandatory and will take place the week of July 7 11,
2008.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Susan M. Trulove in the Office of Student Services at: (804) 786-0720 or susan.trulove@doe.virginia.gov
BCKJr/smt
Attachment
a. 2008-2009
Application Packet for
Virginia Response to Intervention (RtI) Pilot Divisions (Word)